Town council’s concern over beauty spot’s mini-enterprise’

CONCERN at the creation of a “mini enterprise” at a Westbury beauty spot, amidst repeated retrospective planning applications, will be expressed to Wiltshire Council by the town council. 

Chair of the highways, planning and development committee, cllr Mike Sutton, told members at their meeting on Monday 16th August, that he wanted to raise the issue concerning Long River Farm in Wellhead Valley, saying the public were also worried about ongoing works there.  

Cllr Sutton said the applicants’ previous work has included toilet and shower blocks and road alterations, and they constantly submit and withdraw applications. The HP&D committee previously opposed the latest bid to extend a footpath and aired suggestions the applicant was trying to convert the land so it could be used for camping. 

At the meeting, cllr Sutton said, “They’re building a mini enterprise up there on a place of extreme beauty and my advice would be we tell Wiltshire Council planning that this seems to be a blatant way of getting round the rules, then see where-to they go. 

“I don’t think they should be able to get away with it, everyone else goes by the rules.” 

Cllr Gordon King, who also represents Westbury on Wiltshire Council said, “We’re in the consultation period [for the latest application] and you’re welcome to make any comment you like. The planning officer won’t come out and talk to you during this time, but they evaluate the application on the state of the objections during consultation.  

“I’m talking to the planning officer tomorrow about this – it’s my responsibility and I will be talking to her about it. They know what’s going on, but can only judge what’s put in front of them to be judged. They can’t stop the applicant from withdrawing applications – every time they take it down, they put in another application instead.” 

Cllr Sutton said he thought it was important the town council at least expresses its concerns now as the council owes it to concerned residents, and cllr Ward Jones agreed. Members voted in favour. 

On the application form submitted to Wiltshire Council for the latest bid, the applicants  outlined the works as, “The extension of an existing footpath leading to existing pony paddocks. The formation of a hard standing to an existing farmyard to provide a bay for stable manure storage prior to oil being spread on adjacent arable farmland, and the provision of an agricultural building for keeping farm machinery. Replacement toilet and shower facility.”